Q22 / 150 · MHT CET 2025 (26 Apr Shift 1) · Chemistry
Which among the following salt turns blue litmus red in its aqueous solution?
- Correct answerA$\mathrm{CuSO}_4$
- B$\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{CO}_3$
- C$\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$
- D$\mathrm{NaNO}_3$
Solution
Identification of acidic salt
The salt that turns blue litmus red must yield an acidic aqueous solution through hydrolysis of its constituent ions.
Copper(II) sulfate ($\mathrm{CuSO4}$) dissociates into $\mathrm{Cu^{2+}}$ and $\mathrm{SO_4^{2-}}$ ions. The $\mathrm{Cu^{2+}}$ cation, being the conjugate acid of weak base $\mathrm{Cu(OH)_2}$, hydrolyzes:
$\mathrm{Cu^{2+} + 2H_2 O <=> Cu(OH)_2 + 2H+}$
This reaction produces hydrogen ions, acidifying the solution.
Sodium carbonate ($\mathrm{Na_2CO_3}$) yields basic solution due to $\mathrm{CO_3^{2-}}$ hydrolysis: $\mathrm{CO_3^{2-} + H_2 O <=> HCO_3- + OH-}$.
Sodium sulfate ($\mathrm{Na_2SO_4}$) and sodium nitrate ($\mathrm{NaNO_3}$) form neutral solutions as both ions derive from strong acid-base pairs and undergo negligible hydrolysis.
$\mathrm{CuSO_4}$ is the only salt producing acidic solution that turns blue litmus red.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.